As predicted by Robin Brownlee back on May 13 “I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Tambellini hire a head coach and an associate coach in tandem, then fill out the bench roster by adding an assistant or two.” Whatever witchcraft Brownlee is seemingly able to perform at will has worked again, as the Oilers have named Pat Quinn Head Coach of the team and Tom Renney as his associate.

We know that acres of type will be devoted to dissecting this tandem, so here is the launch pad for further conversation. Each will be given a brief introduction so that the debate can begin in earnest.

Tom Renney

In Tom Renney it’s clear the Oilers are looking to stay with the Sexy Silver Fox type coach and we for one couldn't be more pumped. In addition to coaching the Canucks and the Rangers, Renney has a lengthy international record having guided Team Canada three gold, three silver and two bronze medals in the world Championships. He has also been no joke coaching in NYC, guiding the Rangers to three consecutive post season berths before being relieved of command during the 08-09 season. Having coached Jaromir Jagr, Renney will also be able to apply his Czech Superstar Jedi Mind Tricks ™ to our young Ales Hemsky in an effort to elevate his game to the next level.

Pat Quinn

Born sometime during the Civil War, Pat Quinn has enjoyed a lengthy coaching career. The Oilers will be his fifth team, having coached Philadelphia, LA, Vancouver and most recently Toronto. At the time of his departure from the Leafs in 2006, Quinn was the winningist active coach in the NHL. All this guy does is get up in the morning and win hockey games Nation, most recently coaching the World Juniors to a fifth consecutive gold medal this year. If he can bring some of that ol' black magic to the Copper and Blue, the team is headed in a decidedly different (read: better) direction than many thought possible a few short weeks ago.

What we like about this deal from minute one is it is a clear departure from days gone by. These two saavy gents have lengthy resumes with one key piece wonderfully missing:

Neither have played a game as an Edmonton Oiler.

UPDATE

Due to insane levels of traffic you may be experiencing crashing or severely long load times for OilersNation.com at the moment. We have our crack team all over the matter, and Wanye is running around in circles helpfully yelling "Fire! Fire! Fire!" We may have to temporarily lock down commentary to keep the site running smoother. If that happens, it will be temporary and soon enough we can all get back to the discussion.

Welcome to the OilersNation Mr Quinn and Renney. We love our ice hockey squadron up in here.

That would be a coaching power house...too bad none them can actually, you know, play goal or score. Still, very positive.

Please, please let Marc Crawford get any NHL job (Calgary) just so I don't have to hear his insipid squeaky voice every Saturday. And while I'm wishing, please let somebody kick him in the nuts repeatedly, just for good measure.

So I figure this is the first step to Quinn moving up into a management position down the road. If the Oilers are looking to copy the Red Wings they need to bring in some of the best minds in hockey at the management level and I would say that these two qualify.

baggedmilk wrote:
Once again the Nation reigns as the best Oilers website on the Internet.
Almost as good as the sites I go to daily for self abuse sessions.
If we are doing it at the same time at the same place is that wrong?

I see nothing wrong with sharp shooting contests. A little competition is good for everyone.

Another positive read from this is that as much as Quinn still wants to coach, I don't he'd go to a team that he felt wouldn't get him a chance to win the cup within a fairly short period of time.

It'll also be interesting to see what effect + or - it may have in attracting UFAs. For all those that continually gripe about Lowe overpaying UFAs (eg. Horc), the unfortunate truth of the matter is you have to pay a UFA more to entice him to sign in Edm. If you've already earned 15 million how much more would you want to get paid to live in Edm. in the winter vs. LA, Dallas, Miami, or the Northeast where there's no travel...

Quinn gets a bad rep with coaching young players, and its totally misdirected. As a GM he tended to go for now and trade away prospects/picks. As a coach he's done extremely well nuturing young, offensive, dynamic talent.

Bure, Robitaille, Carson, Linesman, Propp, Duchesne - all guys that have come in as rookies and done excellent offensively in relation to the rest of their team. There are many good young players that Quinn has done good things with as well.

I'm thinking that Gagner, Cogs, O'Sullivan, Gilbert, Grebs, Penner, Nilsson and Hemmer are in good hands. Definitely more of an opportunity for Schremp, Eberle, Chorney and the like as well.

In all likelihood only some will rise to the occasion, and players need to be moved out due to size and roster considerations - but overall a good fit between Quinn and the kids.

The biggest surprise for me today: How the hell does Wayne get a picture of Quinn parachuting out of what seems like a structure on the ground?!? Didn't anyone tell him the White Sorels ruin his ability to camflage himself? Where the hell do you find these pics WG?

This move is a really good one, i'm sure! Pat Quinn as the experience for offensive style and some defense. But the plus for fans is that Tom Renney is a all round defensive coach. And he can boost the oilers defense system making there team very hard to penatrate. So if both Pat and Tom are together its like a douple boost. A huge deal, this move can get more attractive players to edmonton. A lot of players love pat quinns style and Tom renney can help bring in some ufa's as well. I bet because of this move, Edmonton can possiblly turn there team into a Detriot with some player changes very quickly! I'm So happy time for some playoff runs!

The Flames have announced that Jim Playfair has been offered the job in Abbotsford. Not sure what that means for Ryan McGill, but I hope it means he'll be a part of the new staff in Calgary. Darryl said that there are 3 coaches in the league that he see's as a fit, but that all are under contract which leaves him as the 4th best option. Seems obvious to me that he's gonna see if he can get Brent and if not he'll be stepping back behind the bench. Sort of dismissed the Lemaire idea by saying he was looking for someone with a lot of energy, insinuating that Jacques was a bit old. Then as far as a young, up and coming rookie, he said he needs someone that can maximize the performance of his top players. He dropped a "bulls*it" bomb (good ol Darryl).

And now we have the only coach in the league who doesn’t believe in matching lines.
And as for the welcome break from the “Old Boy’s Club”, welcome to a new Old Boy’s Club - except one that, unlike the Oilers edition, never won anything.
Okay, so I’m going a little over the top here, but this doesn’t strike me as good news. I hope I’m wrong.

But Arneil would have been a great choice in spite of his Tambellini link?

The more I think about this the more it makes sense. 2-1 with Renney. The kids will play for these guys. UFA's like Quinn/Renney much more than MacT. May convince someone to come this way now.....things looking up.

If you base it on stats then this team would win out hands down..
I personally am stoked.. this goes to show that Edmonton can attract some of the best names in hockey at the upper level and I am hoping this will filter down now to the player level.
Once Quinn is done coaching I would like to see him in a consultant capacity similar to a Scotty Bowman

And now we have the only coach in the league who doesn’t believe in matching lines.
And as for the welcome break from the “Old Boy’s Club”, welcome to a new Old Boy’s Club - except one that, unlike the Oilers edition, never won anything.
Okay, so I’m going a little over the top here, but this doesn’t strike me as good news. I hope I’m wrong.

Willis, as a stats guy you should know that Quinn has done nothing but win. He has aonly missed the playoffs, what once? Come on.

The only issue I have is all of these 'nay' sayers! For the love of Gawd people! We have to start somewhere!!! This is a GOOD start! We are going in the right Direction! Today is a GOOD day for the OIL!!!!!